Dubai, August 1st, 2006 (WAM) - As the boom in the transport and hospitality industries in the Middle East continues unabated, the region's first ever MENA Travel Catering 2006 exhibition is set to debut from 4-6 September 2006, alongside the ITCA Middle East Conference at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the exhibition brings together exhibitors in the airline, cruise line, ferry, railway and hospitality industries from over 22 countries. Leading international suppliers looking to capitalise on this booming market include Nestle Foodservices, LSG Sky Chefs, Orvec International, Hero Group and Sabre Airline solutions.

Recent research from Bahrain Airport Services and PAX International estimated that the Middle East airline catering industry is worth close to US$500 million per annum, while the value of ferry and cruise line hospitality has grown exponentially in recent years.

The decision by International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) to also host their inaugural conference in the region further underscores the global interest in this fast-developing market.

The growing volume of travellers passing through the Middle East together with the UAE's emergence as a hub for marine and aviation traffic have combined to make the region an area of key interest for international catering companies, according to industry experts.

Aviation catering stands out as the fastest-growing sector, with over 13.76m passengers passing through Dubai International Airport in the first half of 2006 alone. In parallel, cruise line, rail and ferry services have also grown significantly in recent years, creating major opportunities in a range of industries.

The exhibition represents a diverse range of companies, including food and beverage suppliers, food packaging, chinaware and disposable crockery, through to in-flight retailing, entertainment systems and toiletry companies.